Backing for fine dining restaurant

Plans for a new fine dining restaurant have been unanimously supported by Sudbury councillors who hope to see it boost the town’s tourist trade.

The Secret Garden in Sudbury is planning to open a new restaurant in Grade II-listed Buzzards Hall, also in Friars Street, while keeping its other property as a café.

Members of Sudbury Town Council’s planning committee were satisfied by answers given by co-owner Stephane Chapotot and supported the application, which will now go before planning officers at Babergh District Council.

“Personally I think this is a great thing for Sudbury,” said committee chair Jan Osborne. “We haven’t got anything like this in the town.”

“It will help keep people in Sudbury rather than them going to our competitor Bury St Edmunds.”

Mr Chapotot told members the plans would see as little change to the listed property as possible, with the restaurant also including seating upstairs.

There were comments from Sudbury Society’s planning group on the proposed disabled access from the side of the building.

However members were satisfied by Mr Chapotot’s explanation that alterations were not possible to the front of the building due its listed status.

He said a temporary ramp would be available from the front but legally there had to be a permanent ramp, which was only possible from the side door.

After being supported unanimously, committee member Ellen Murphy said: “Can I just say it’s really positive to see an old building being preserved.”